Apr 13, 2018 — I love loop hikes. It sometimes gets me into trouble when I want something to be a loop, anda it doesn't want to be. Barber Peak was not one of those loops - it was super fun and had interesting points the entire way. Plus, on a topo map, its ridges make it look like the perfect loop. I was happy. :)
Starting from the Hole-in-the-Wall parking area, make a quick detour to see the "Hole in the Wall" and the volcanic craziness that makes up Banshee Canyon from above. Banshee Canyon is the start of what Mojave National Preserve calls the Rings Trail, named because of the rings set within the canyon to aid in downclimbing. Then, head into Banshee Canyon and continue through into open desert, bushwhacking to the base of Barber Peak's left prong. Find whatever Class 2/3 route feels appealing to gain the first of five sort-of grassy benches, each which requires a short Class 2/3 scramble to attain. Once at the Barber Peak summit, continue east along the ridge and scramble down some scree and loose boulders to a final bench. You'll see on my map I continued along the ridge too far and had to briefly head back west to avoid a cliff, and then the fun maze-like Class 3 route-finding commences. Ridiculously interesting volcanic formations that hover above Banshee Canyon prevent an easy descent, but the route-finding here was my favorite part of the route. There is likely more than one way down, but my route was Class 3.
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